On May 23, 1976, the Hawaiian Music Awards Academy presented the 1st annual “NANI Awards”.
Founded by Tony Todaro and Paul Page, the organization’s stated goal was to reward excellence of artists & craftsman in the recording field.
But to many, the NANI Awards had the appearance of a small group trying to ignore the Hawaiian Renaissance, and instead cling to music of their time and liking.
Krash Kealoha soon created a promotion on KCCN Radio that ultimately resulted in the Hoku Awards.
While the NANI Awards eventually ceased, the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards are still thriving to this very day.
But the NANI Awards did release an LP in conjunction with their 1st awards ceremony.
Today, we’ll share that historic “NANI Awards” 1976 recording.

By 1977, Myra English had already recorded 2 solo 33 1/3 rpm LP records on Hula Records.
“Drinking Champagne” and “Oh, How I Miss You Tonight”.
A new album concept was created for Myra for her 3rd album on Hula Records.
Backed by Benny Kalama on ukulele, Sonny Kamahele on guitar, and Norman Isaacs on bass, Myra recorded a hapa haole songbook.
Today, we’ll share some of our favorite Myra English music from her 1977 release, “Do The Hula”.

The modern version of Hula Records launched in 1962 with a stereo 331/3 rpm long playing album called, “Let’s Hula”.
The studio band dubbed the Maile Serenaders were led by Musician/arranger Benny Kalama, along with Sonny Kamahele, Jimmy Kaopuiki, Sonny Nicholas, Charles “Kaipo” Miller, Joe Custino, & Danny Stewart. Several of the vocal solos featured Nina Keali’iwahamana.
Today, we’ll share some of our favorite Maile Serenaders music from their 1962 debut release, “Let’s Hula”.

Solomon “Sonny” Kamahele, Jr. was a Hawaiian musician’s musician.
His father, Solomon Kamahele, Sr., achieved great success in the 1st decades of the 20th century as a recording artist and entertainer.
Sonny Jr served Hawaii as a distinguished and charming ambassador of Aloha both here and in Hollywood.
In 1996, Sonny Kamahele received the Na Hoku Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award.
We lost Sonny on February 11, 2004.
Today, we’ll share some of our favorite Sonny Kamahele music from his 1963 solo release, Sonny Kamahele & his Surf Serenaders.

James Daniel “Bla” Pahinui was born on September 14, 1942, in Waimanalo, O’ahu, the second oldest son of Emily and Phillip “Gabby” Pahinui.
At the age of 10, Bla made his own guitar out of a 2X4 with nails and fishing line.
A year later, his father got him an ukulele.
As a teenager, Bla switched to guitar.
He would go on to be part of the 2nd version of the Sunday Manoa group.
He would also play in the Gabby Pahinui Band.
And he would record a solo recording on Dancing Cat Records.
In 2017, Bla Pahinui was recognized by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Today, we’ll share some of our favorite Bla Pahinui music from Sunday Manoa, Gabby Band, & his solo work.